Indian summer is that wonderful, sunny time of year when warm weather seems to be back, but winter is really just around the corner. With gorgeous colors and special flavors all around us, let’s enjoy these mild temperatures for a few more days with an outdoor barbecue.
What do you need? A barbecue, lots of delicious food for grilling, a good red wine, an oversized blanket for lounging on the lawn and a bunch of friends. We’ll bring the recipes.
Grilled mushrooms
Porcini mushrooms are ideal for an appetizer this time of year. All you have to do is clean them thoroughly, slice, and cook them on the barbecue. Season simply with oil, salt, parsley and a clove of garlic.
Bruschetta with grilled vegetables
Toasted bread is a must at any respectable barbecue. Once hot, rub with a clove of garlic, dress with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt, and serve with grilled vegetables, such as pumpkin or onions, or with the mushrooms from the previous recipe.
Grilled sausage
Is there anything better than a juicy grilled sausage to put in a sandwich with some sauce? Buy pork sausages, cut in half lengthwise and cook them on the barbecue. Serve with thinly sliced sauerkraut pan-fried with oil and vinegar, and add a little mustard if you like. A great match even with grilled onions!
Vegetable skewers
Choose the most beautiful vegetables of the season, cut them into pieces and put them on metal or wooden skewers. Grill, then season simply with salt and oil. We suggest using fennel, carrots, pumpkins, radicchio, radishes and onions.
Hamburgers
Any good barbecue also calls for a hamburger. Prepare some at home with only the best minced meat, salt and pepper, then grill. Heat the bread and serve with grilled onions, tomato and crispy bacon.
Baked potatoes
Another recipe not to be missed at a proper barbecue is baked potatoes. Wash the potatoes well, without peeling. Wrap in tin foil and cook them over the embers. Once cooked, split them in half and serve with sour cream and chives.
Potato volcanoes
A tasty idea that will delight adults and children alike, these potatoes turn into erupting volcanoes. Here’s how to make them: wrap a previously blanched potato with slices of bacon and dig out some of the inside. Fill with cheddar or fontina cheese and wrap in foil. Cook for a few minutes and the cheese will melt like the lava of a volcano.
Grilled pineapple
Dessert is not to be forgotten – and we’ll grill that too! Sliced pineapple is ideal for cooking. Perhaps add a little sugar to caramelize, and flavor it with honey and cinnamon.
Grilled bananas
Here’s an even more indulgent version of classic s’mores. Cut a banana in half lengthwise without removing the skin, and keep the base intact. Fill with small marshmallows and chocolate chips, close up in aluminum foil and cook on the grill.